Akinlalu killings: NIWA boss visits victims’ families

The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has visited Akinlalu community in Ife North area of Osun State to commiserate with the victims of Amotekun killings and maiming during an invasion by the corps.

Oyebamiji, a leading governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC), who tagged his political movement as ‘AMBO’, also gave scholarships to the children of the victims.

He was received at the palace of Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, during the condolence visit.

Oyebamiji promised immediate building of an ultramodern police division in the town.

Addressing the community and the victims of the attack, he said AMBO movement would spare no efforts to support the families of the victims that lost their lives in the incident.

Oyebamiji, who sympathised with the parents and families of the deceased, vowed to work with security agencies to bring the culprits to book.

FAMAA ’25: Lateef Adedimeji grateful as ‘Lisabi’ bags seven nominations

Filmmaker and actor Lateef Adedimeji has reacted after his film ‘Lisabi’ secured seven nominations at the 2025 Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA).

The movie is recognised in categories including Best Visual Effects, Best Director, Best Make-up, Best Nigerian Film, Best Actor, Best Film in African Language, and Best Film Overall.

In a Instagram post, Lateef expressed overwhelming gratitude, noting how much these nominations mean to him.

He celebrated the collective effort behind Lisabi, thanking the cast, crew, distribution partners, and collaborators like Niyi Akinmolayan and Anthillstudios for bringing the project to life.

He also shared an inspiring message, encouraging others to persevere as recognition will come in time.

He wrote: ‘ALHAMDULILAH. I once again realised how much of a great work our last mega project, LISABI, is, as we bagged 7 nominations at the AMAA Awards.

‘To be nominated in seven categories alongside great movies from this continent means so much to me, and beyond words, I’m super grateful for the recognition.

‘I want to once again appreciate everyone who worked on the Lisabi project, from cast and crew to distribution partners and those who supported us one way or the other.

‘A big thank you to our wonderful partners, @niyiakinmolayan and @anthillstudios, for bringing our vision to life.

‘I hope this encourages someone to keep going, recognition will come someday. Thank you AMAA! Cc @akeemeffect etc’.

Awakan vows to drive Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism

The newly appointed Director-General Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, has pledged to usher in a new era of innovation, collaboration, and renewed commitment towards repositioning Nigeria’s tourism industry.

Awakan who assumed office at the Authority’s Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, assured that he would consolidate on the successes of his predecessors and build a more vibrant, efficient, and responsive NTDA capable of attracting tourists and investors to Nigeria.

‘My predecessors have done excellently well to the best of their ability, and the baton of leadership has been passed to me. I will take it up from here,’ he said.

Upon his arrival, Awakan was received by the Management Team of the Authority, led by Mr. Ovie Esewhaye, the Director overseeing the Office of the Director-General, who presented the official handover note.

The new helmsman thereafter met with the Directors, toured the NTDA offices, and addressed the general staff at the NTDA Village Hall.

Awakan expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.

‘I’m happy to be here; this is a new dawn. There’s a lot to be done and by the grace of God, it will be done,’ he stated.

‘Let me start by appreciating the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.’

Awakan also acknowledged Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her visionary leadership and tireless efforts in repositioning the sector despite limited resources.

‘The responsibility bestowed on her is weighty, and even with the limited resources, she has been able to push ahead. I am here to complement her efforts,’ he noted.

He stressed the importance of teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity in achieving the Authority’s mandate.

‘We need newness, freshness, and I can’t do it alone. We need collaborative effort,’ he said.

‘I operate an open-door policy, no idea is a bad idea; it can be refined into a fantastic one. Let’s make history together and make Mr. President proud.’

Awakan is an award-winning journalist, thespian, dramatist, poet, and culture and tourism enthusiast.

His appointment reflects President Tinubu’s continued commitment to leveraging creativity, culture, and tourism as key drivers of national economic diversification and growth.

Shettima: govt mobilising $400m investments for renewable energy

Nigeria is on course to unlock an investment opportunity worth over $400 million as part of its ambitious plan to become Africa’s renewable energy hub.

Vice President Kashim Shettima stated this yesterday in Abuja at the inaugural Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) 2025.

He said the country’s energy transition under President Bola Tinubu is being structured to attract massive investments, expand access, and create a self-sustaining clean energy market that will power homes, industries, and innovation across the federation.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said over $23 billion will be required to bridge Nigeria’s energy access gap and connect millions still living in energy poverty, even as the administration targets a total installed capacity of 277 gigawatts by 2060.

‘We are blessed with the minerals that power clean technologies, and Nigeria brings to the table youth, ambition, and untapped renewable potential. Let us seize this moment and affirm that Nigeria is ready to harness her resources, unlock her capital, and become the vibrant heartbeat of Africa’s renewable energy revolution,’ Vice President Shettima said.

Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, assured investors and development partners of the administration’s commitment to deepening policy reforms that would de-risk private capital, promote local manufacturing, and strengthen the renewable energy value chain.

‘We are enhancing incentives for local manufacturing, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and deepening collaboration with state governments and investors to accelerate the emergence of a self-sustaining renewable energy market,’ he stated.

He explained that the administration’s ‘Nigeria First’ industrial strategy envisions localised renewable energy supply chains – from solar panel assembly plants in Lagos to battery recycling hubs across industrial corridors – positioning Nigeria not only as a participant but a leader in Africa’s clean energy future.

The Vice President announced that more than $400 million in new investment commitments had been mobilised under the forum, covering solar panels, smart meters, battery storage, and recycling facilities, which are expected to create over 1,500 direct jobs across multiple states.

‘The Ministry of Power is working on policies that will lay the foundation for a more decentralised, competitive, and inclusive electricity market,’ he disclosed, calling on development partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to localise technologies and invest in skills and knowledge transfer.

Shettima also urged governors to drive the establishment of renewable industrial clusters that will serve as engines of green growth across the federation.

Earlier, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the forum marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy transformation, aligning innovation with investment to achieve large-scale local solar production and energy diversification.

He explained that the Integrated National Electricity Policy under President Tinubu provides a comprehensive framework to decentralise the sector, strengthen reforms, and unlock private capital for sustainable growth.

Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mallam Abba Aliyu, said the NREIF bridges policy with research to fast-track Nigeria’s transition toward a sustainable green energy ecosystem, stressing that Africa must not be left behind in the global clean energy race.

In a goodwill message, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, represented by Mohammed M. Malick Fall, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, pledged the UN’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s renewable energy agenda, noting that the forum exemplifies Africa’s determination to power homes, schools, and industries through clean energy.

Also speaking, the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, reaffirmed the Netherlands’ partnership with Nigeria in renewable energy development, describing the forum as ‘a milestone in the deepening of bilateral cooperation.’

In the presence of the Vice President, the governors of Jigawa, Bayelsa, and Ogun states, along with the REA and other agencies, signed several multi-million-dollar Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with private sector players and development partners, including the Dutch government, aimed at expanding Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing base.

Agribusinesses decry emerging labour crisis

The agricultural sector is facing a deepening labour crisis as some growers struggle to find field workers amidst rising cultivation costs. Farmers are battling drastically increased prices for fertilizer, fuel, and pesticides that have surged.

Some reports indicate fertilizer prices have risen by over 200 per cent in a two-year period. The cost hike has been compounded by higher prices for farm labour and machinery, with total investment costs rising significantly across the country.

While the agriculture season is here, The Nation learned that growers are struggling to find workers. This, The Nation gathered, is impacting the agriculture industry. In the past, labourers from Benin and Togo were hired to work on farms in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and Kwara. Their growing popularity as efficient hands increased local farms’ appetite for them.

The number of such temporary migrants, who provided three to nine months of paid work, has grown ever larger. Some lived within the farms until returning home at the end of the harvest period. The Nation learned they were provided free accommodation and a motorcycle at the end of the season. However, the high cost of providing these incentives is now making it difficult for farmers to engage foreign workers.

Chief Executive, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr. Olufemi Oladunni, highlighted the overwhelming financial burden and logistical challenges now facing small-scale farmers across the country. ‘The crisis is having a direct and measurable impact on the nation’s food production targets. It’s affecting total productivity,’ he said. He painted a grim picture of older, small-scale farmers who are unable to bring their harvests to completion. ‘If you see some small, older farmers who start a farm, they will not be able to complete it. Because of shortage of labour to weed the farm.’ Referring to the difficulty in securing farmhands, he said farmers are facing the challenge everywhere. ‘It’s the same experience all over. The same experience,’ Oladunni stated, stressing that what farmers are now forced to pay for manual labour is ‘staggering.’

The ARMTI Chief Executive noted that traditional, non-cash forms of compensation-such as housing and feeding workers throughout the season and then rewarding them with a valuable item such as a motorcycle-are no longer sustainable or attractive. ‘So, those things [non-cash payment methods] may not be a good form of payment.The net result of these economic pressures is a pervasive manpower deficit. That is why shortage of farm labourers are there now,’ he maintained . Oladunni said the soaring cost and severe shortage of farm labour are posing an existential threat to agricultural output. The ARMTI Chief Executive pointed out that the reliance on manual weeding is exacerbated by the high cost of alternatives, adding, ‘Because agrochemicals are expensive.’ He underscored the urgent need for interventions-including greater access to affordable mechanisation-to safeguard the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and secure national food security. To keep pace with population growth and urbanisation, he said tackling the issue of farm hands is important if food production must increase.

Co-Founder , Cato Foods, Pelumi Aribisala, attributed the situation to the massive disruption in the foreign exchange rate and the steep rise in the cost of assets. According to him, these factors are crippling the farm labour market, forcing farm owners and workers into a payment stalemate that is severely impacting agricultural productivity.

He explained that the current state of farm labour is ‘a very difficult one right now,’ a struggle that began in the past year. The crisis, he continued, stems from the breakdown of a long-standing system where farmhands, often migrant workers from neighbouring countries such as the Republic of Togo, were paid at the end of the season with assets, primarily motorcycles.

‘You know before we used to pay with motorcycles.This system worked when the Naira’s value was low relative to their home currencies, making the motorcycle a coveted, high-value asset. However, the significant devaluation of the Naira has made this payment method untenable for farm owners. A motorcycle that once cost between N450,000 and N600,000 now goes for ‘only N1.5 million.So that is making agribusinesses or farm owners reluctant in paying with the motorcycle. Simultaneously, the farm workers are now reluctant in collecting cash,’ he noted. ‘Because by the time they get the cash back to their country, in the Republic of Togo, they don’t get up to what they should get,’ he stated. This, he indicated, has led to a major shift in worker demands. Instead of cash or an end-of-season asset, he said the workers now demand payment based on specific tasks completed. ‘So most of them now just want to work activity. They want to be paid for activity. which is very expensive,’ Aribisala stressed.

Centre to empower Nigerians through innovation

Ananse, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, and support of Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, has launched Ananse Centre for Design Lagos to empower young fashion creatives with skills, tools, and market access to grow their businesses in the creative economy and create sustainable jobs.

The 1,200-square-meter facility Centre at 10A Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate, will amplify Ananse’s goal to enable more than 5,000 fashion and design-focused creatives and produce 50,000 jobs, with 70 per cent of participants being young women. This initiative will address gaps in the fashion industry and serve as a hub for creativity, skill development, and entrepreneurship, further driving innovation and inclusion in Nigeria’s fashion industry.

Participants of the training will benefit from 22 courses in five modules: Business Skills, Business Development, E-commerce, Marketing, and Product Development, delivered physically at the centre’s fashion hub and virtually through interactive sessions.

‘Ananse Centre for Design Lagos is more than a space, it is a catalyst for change. By combining training, infrastructure and global market access, we are giving young creatives, especially women, the chance to turn their talent into sustainable livelihoods. This launch marks an important step in building a future where African design thrives locally and globally,’ said Samuel Mensah, founder and chief executive officer of Ananse.

The centre will feature training rooms for mentorship and masterclasses, content studios to amplify brands, photography and Computer-Aided Design labs for product development, and specialised studios for leather, clothing, shoes, and bags.

A private showroom will provide space to showcase designs, while co-working spaces will foster collaboration and peer learning.

Though anchored in Lagos, the centre will welcome participants from Africa.

Supreme Court Justice: integrate law, religion into legal education

Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju of the Supreme Court has called for the urgent integration of Law and Religion Studies into the country’s legal education curriculum, highlighting their potential to promote national unity, justice, and sustainable development.

Delivering the keynote address at the Nigerian Law and Religion Studies Curriculum Development Colloquium held in Abuja, Justice Ogunwumiju emphasised that equipping future legal professionals with a deep understanding of Nigeria’s religious diversity is essential in a pluralistic society.

Speaking on the theme: ‘The Role of Law and Religion in National Development: Building Bridges, Shaping Futures,’ the Supreme Court Justice proposed a six-pillar curriculum framework.

This includes constitutional law, family law, comparative legal systems, ethics, dispute resolution, and public policy-all contextualised through the lens of religion.

‘A Law and Religion Studies curriculum teaching religious literacy would equip future jurists, scholars, and policymakers to navigate religious plurality with mutual respect and enhance unity in the country,’ Justice Ogunwumiju said.

She underscored the importance of not sidelining religion in legal discourse, noting that law plays both preventive and remedial roles in addressing conflicts, particularly in a nation where religion often intersects with social and political issues.

Referencing landmark cases, she illustrated how the judiciary continues to strike a balance between protecting religious freedoms and upholding public interest.

‘This isn’t just about curriculum reform,’ she stressed.

‘It’s about equipping future lawyers to mediate faith-based conflicts and uphold justice in a diverse nation.’

Justice Ogunwumiju also commended academic institutions such as the University of Lagos for pioneering courses in Law and Religion.

She acknowledged the support of international partners like the International Centre for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS), as well as local collaborators, for advancing the discourse.

The colloquium brought together legal scholars, educators, and policymakers to chart a path toward a more inclusive and responsive legal education system in Nigeria.

Ikeja Electric, LECAN trains 100 young electricians

As part of its continuous investment in human capital development, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), in collaboration with the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN), has concluded a one-day intensive skills acquisition and capacity-building programme with the theme: ‘Electrical Safety and Best Practices in the Electricity industry.’

Over 100 participants comprising field technicians and electrical professionals participated in the workshop which focused on practical and engaging sessions bordering on safety procedures, alternative power integration and electrical installation standards.

Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of LECAN, Bada Waheed, commended Ikeja Electric for its continued support of capacity development within the electricity industry.

‘This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when industry leaders and professional bodies collaborate for sustainable growth. Our young electricians represent the future of Nigeria’s energy value chain, and programmes like this ensure they are skilled, informed, and safety-conscious. We deeply appreciate this gesture from Ikeja Electric and hope to have future collaborations to impact our youth and make them more productive. Noteworthy is the fact that this programme aligns with our goal of nurturing local talents and bridging the gap between learning and practical application,’ he said.

The Head of Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Kingsley Okotie, highlighted the importance of corporate partnerships in driving community empowerment, beyond the provision of electricity.

‘Over time we have discovered a lot of gaps in efficiency and knowledge acquisition especially by technicians, who are major stakeholders within our sector. This fueled our drive to strengthen their capacity in the area of safety, alignment in the integration of renewable energy as well as other industry innovations. We know that electricity is a powerful tool that demands responsibility and precision. Therefore, this training is reinforcing our zero-harm culture by empowering participants with the right knowledge to execute their work safely and efficiently.

The collaboration with LECAN reflects our vision to build safer communities through education and empowerment; closing knowledge gaps, reducing accidents within our area of coverage and preventing unnecessary loss of lives and property, thereby making the society a better place for all” he concluded.

One of the beneficiaries, Makinde Adeyinka, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing the experience as ‘eye-opening and impactful.’

‘I have learned so much about safety standards, proper installations, and building a sustainable career as an electrician. I am thankful to Ikeja Electric and LECAN for investing in young electricians like me and look forward to more programmes like this,’ he said.

The one-day training is part of Ikeja Electric’s ongoing youth empowerment and safety awareness initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to workplace safety, operational excellence, and continuous professional development.

Fed Govt unveils N1tr investment in solid minerals sector

In a bid to diversify the economy and reduce over-dependence on oil, President Bola Tinubu has announced N1 trillion investment in the solid minerals sector.

The president disclosed this while delivering the keynote at the 10th Edition of Nigeria Mining Week 2025, in Abuja.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the president noted that the N1 trillion commitment, which is the largest government-led mining initiative in the nation’s history, was drawn from the N4.5 trillion increase in the 2025 federal budget.

The president said the landmark investment, which was in alignment with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, will fund geo-scientific exploration, geological surveys, and critical infrastructure needed to unlock mineral-rich regions.

‘This is the most significant single investment in Nigeria’s mining industry by any administration. We are turning the wealth beneath our feet into prosperity in our hands,’ Tinubu said.

Commending the sectoral progress made, Tinubu noted that the revenue generation of the sector grew by six-fold from N6 billion in 2023 to N38 billion in 2024.

He however attributed the performance of the sector to new policies, tighter regulations, and the establishment of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) designed to attract capital, form joint ventures, and boost local mineral processing.

Tinubu then re-emphasised his administration’s zero tolerance for unsafe or environmentally harmful mining practices, stressing that ‘natural resources must enhance lives today and for future generations. Mining should heal and build, not hurt or divide.’

Reaffirming the National Assembly’s support for the sector, Chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Sen Ekong Sampson expressed readiness of the legislative arm to provide legislative backing for the President’s mining reforms.

He assured that the Senate would continue to enact progressive laws and provide oversight to sustain investor confidence and transparency.

He said: ‘Our focus is to unlock the full potential of this sector through enabling policies and strategic partnerships.’

He expressed optimism that ongoing reforms under the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development would position Nigeria for global competitiveness.

He, however, identified collaboration among government, industry players, and communities as the only way to achieve inclusive growth.

He said: ‘What we need for every sector is collaboration, not conflict. We have no excuse not to make the best of our country’s natural endowments’.

In his address, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake described the sector’s rapid growth now contributing about 4.6 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as proof of the effectiveness of President Tinubu’s reform-driven agenda.

‘From all available evidence, our policies are working. But we couldn’t have achieved this without the cooperation of stakeholders,’ he said.

Alake then disclosed that the Federal Government is addressing two major financial gaps limiting local participation, particularly through the African Joint Committee (AJC) framework, to empower indigenous investors to compete with international players.

On his part, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to revive Nigeria’s steel industry as a backbone of industrialisation and infrastructure expansion.

He revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with a Chinese firm for the rehabilitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, targeting the production of 10 million metric tonnes of steel by 2030. ‘With the right partnerships and renewed investor confidence, Nigeria’s steel industry will soon take its rightful place as the bedrock of national development,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr. Faruk Yabo emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to building a transparent, technology-driven, and investor-friendly mining environment.

Yabo noted that the various reforms introduced under Alake’s leadership are repositioning the sector to meaningfully contribute to national GDP while promoting responsible mining.

‘Our goal is to ensure Nigeria no longer exports raw minerals but value-added products that create jobs, foster innovation, and strengthen prosperity,’ Yabo stated.

Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in building investor confidence.

He stated that NEITI’s latest report shows the mining sector still underperforms due to poor data management and weak inter-agency coordination.

‘Transparency is not an option; it is the foundation upon which trust and investment confidence are built,’ Dr. Orji said, pledging NEITI’s continued support for reforms that guarantee fairness and shared prosperity.

Earlier, the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke expressed the association’s unwavering commitment to the promotion of a collaborative, transparent, and sustainable partnership with government and other stakeholders in the sector.

He noted that the progress recorded in the sector was made possible by the exemplary leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Alake and his team.

He said the mining week has remained a catalyst for sectoral dialogue, innovation, and reforms – bridging the gap between policy and practice, operators and investors, and ideas and implementation.

Ayanleke noted that the sector in the last decade witnessed the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, policy reforms, strategic partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives that continue to redefine the mining landscape in Nigeria.

Northern minorities warn against ethnicising INEC Chairman Nomination

The Northern Nigeria Minorities Group (NNMG) has cautioned against attempts to ethnicise the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing such actions as divisive and harmful to national unity.

In a statement signed by its Convener, Chief Jacob Edi, the group expressed concern over what it called ‘ongoing efforts by certain individuals and interest groups to ethnicise’ Professor Amupitan’s appointment. It noted that the nominee hails from the Okun ethnic nationality in Kogi State, one of the minority groups in Northern Nigeria.

NNMG condemned recent social media attacks and commentaries by some ‘self-styled northern voices’ accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of ethnic bias in the appointment, insisting such claims were baseless.

‘Nothing could be further from the truth,’ the statement read. ‘This is the first time in 65 years since the establishment of a statutory electoral commission in 1959 that a northern minority has been appointed to lead it.’

The group recalled that in past administrations, no northern minority had opposed the appointment of individuals, mostly from the North West and North East, to head the electoral body for several consecutive years.

NNMG urged Nigerians to acknowledge that northern minorities are equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project and should not be subjected to ridicule or suspicion when entrusted with national leadership roles.

‘We recall that this unfortunate trend of delegitimising northern minority appointments gained traction during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, when any appointment extended to a northern minority was derisively dismissed as ‘not northern enough,” the group said. ‘The current ethnicisation of Professor Amupitan’s appointment is a direct continuation of that ugly and retrogressive trend, and it must stop.’

The NNMG stressed that the North is not defined by ethnicity but by its geographical breadth and diversity, describing those promoting ethnic-based criticism as ‘enemies of national unity and progress.’

It expressed concern that some individuals in the region still perceive northern minorities as mere demographic fillers ‘unworthy of the privileges and recognition that come with our place in the federation.’

‘Such thinking is antiquated, divisive, and inimical to the spirit of modern governance,’ the statement added. ‘After 65 years of independence, our guiding principle should be competence, integrity, and capacity, not parochial sentiments that have stunted our national growth.’

The group described Professor Amupitan’s nomination as a bold step toward inclusivity, equity, and meritocracy, commending President Tinubu for recognizing the North’s diversity and giving all constituent groups a sense of belonging in his appointments.

It further warned against attempts to polarise the country along ethnic or sectional lines, calling on political actors, commentators, and citizens to rise above identity politics and focus on building strong institutions that function effectively regardless of who leads them.

‘The time for ethnic arithmetic is over,’ the NNMG declared. ‘The era of competence, fairness, and national responsibility must begin in earnest.’

Chief Edi reaffirmed that northern minorities remain a stabilising force in the federation, saying: ‘When placed together, we are not just ‘minorities’; we are the real majority that believes in the unity and progress of Nigeria.’